It’s enough of a chore to consistently give your best effort at work, keep in touch with family, and have a satisfying social life—let alone to make healthy choices and find time to exercise. You’re doing the best you can, right? Maybe not.
Perhaps your thought process and not your schedule is the reason you feel that you can’t fit in a workout. Allow us to quote The Wall Street Journal, which published a now-popular article on the topic of being busy. The article instructs readers, “Instead of saying ‘I don’t have time’ try saying ‘it’s not a priority,’ and see how that feels.”
For us, that phrase really puts things into perspective. Try saying out loud: I can’t fit in a workout, because staying healthy and active isn’t a priority. Doesn’t sit well. So how do you turn working out from an option into a priority? Turns out something doesn’t have to give. Here are a few ways to change up your priorities and your routine.
It’s even easier to make exercise a priority with Aaptiv, now there’s no excuse!
How to Exercise When You’re Really Freaking Busy
Exercise Early
Working out in the morning encourages healthy decisions throughout the day. Plus, you get to enjoy that already-done feeling of relief that you’ve logged your exercise for the day. Don’t assume this means you need to strap on your running shoes or head to the gym every AM (unless that’s your thing). You can also wake up your body with some yoga, walking, or a 7 Minute Quick Hit workout.
Workouts we suggest: Good Morning Yoga 2.0, Rise And Shine, Greet The Day
Plan ahead
We’ve touched on the importance of planning when it comes to accomplishing goals, and the same applies here. If you want to do longer workouts or exercise more, set yourself up for success by sitting down and going over what you have planned over the next seven days. Carve out enough time to complete certain routines, then stick to your plan. This guarantees you won’t fret at the last minute, so long as you hold yourself accountable.
Workouts we suggest: Strong Abs, Level Up, You’ve Got Hills
Skip brunch, exercise with your friends (and then maybe get brunch)
There’s a reason participating in classes can be so enjoyable. The encouragement of friends and the feeling of accomplishing something as a team can be extremely gratifying. If balancing free time with friends or loved ones is your dilemma, consider basing get-togethers around active events. Take a walk, go on a hike, hit the water—the possibilities are endless. You might even find a new fitness partner in doing so.
Workouts we suggest: Flow25, Empowered Females, Energizing Beginner Walk
Dress the part
Don’t be shy when it comes to wearing your gear in public—these days, the workout clothing out there is just as stylish as your day-to-day wardrobe. Owning stylish workout wear that doubles as day wear makes a world of difference when it comes to squeezing in a workout between errands or other commitments by eliminating the time waste of having to go home and change entirely.
Workouts we suggest: Energy + Power, Cardio Endurance Walk, Metabolic Core Killer
Listen to your body
While putting emphasis on making time in your busy schedule for exercise, it’s also important to not overdo it. Don’t fret about taking a day off or taking it slow if your body is exhausted from the day. But, don’t use this excuse as a crutch; focus in on how your body feels so you learn to choose the workout that will give you the best boost on any given day. It’s all about quality over quantity. If you’re not feeling up to a workout and you still try to crush an expert routine, you probably won’t put in your best effort.
Workouts we suggest: Ultimate Chill Vibes, Yoga For Pain Management, Release Tight Hips and Hamstrings
Do something (anything)
We created Aaptiv so you can workout anytime, anywhere with a professional trainer and some sort of workout is always better than nothing. You don’t need to live in the gym to see results; make your routine work for you or you won’t stick with it. Exercise during your lunch hour, during commercial breaks, and any time in between—the Aaptiv 7 Minute Quick Hits were made for this. We promise you’ll be able to find ten minutes for exercise at some point every day.
Workouts we suggest: Abs WERK, Amazing Moves, 5-Minute HIIT